MH #FitFams: Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee

Just when you thought you couldn't like the Brownlee brothers anymore...

During Sunday's World Triathlon Series in Conzumel, Mexico, a heavy-legged Jonny Brownlee, who was leading the race, came to an almost standstill on the final straight. Dazed and confused, it looked as though the younger Brownlee's race was over.

Alistair

Our mum and dad weren’t massively sporty but they taught us to enjoy the outdoors - and that’s a massive part of our success. Even today we will cycle to a scenic spot in the Yorkshire Dales, run with friends, stop at a café, maybe jump on a mountain bike if it’s slippery, or do some fell running. We train hard without realising it.

When we were kids Jonny and I would compete at absolutely everything – from football in the garden to table tennis. We have always trained together and if he caught me up it would give me a kick up the arse to train harder. That motivation is still there because we train together seven days a week. The nature versus nurture debate fascinates me: I think genes help, but without that competitive environment it wouldn’t matter.

When we train today, about 90% of the time we’re just chatting, but that 10% of intense training - the 600m running drills, or the fast laps in the pool - is the most important because it’s when you improve. So in those sessions we go full-on.

I respect Jonny’s consistency. He hits incredible standards day in, day out, and he will always crack on, independent of weather or mood. We are quite different: I’m relaxed and I get ready for races really late, whereas Jonny is really organised and punctual. I like to lead from the front in the run, whereas Jonny might hold back. Maybe it’s because I’m the older brother, but I don’t think there is a mental block that stops Jonny doing the same. I just think I’m a bit more gung-ho.

London 2012 was the toughest time in our relationship but also the best. Things could get fractious - we were both competing for gold - but standing next to my brother on the start line for a home Olympics was so special. I remember saying: ‘Let’s go.’

We do talk during races - just tactics, timings, or maybe to have a dig - but we are both so focused on winning. The rule is that we want to finish first, but if we can’t, we want the other one to win. That will never change.

Jonathan

I can remember hitting Alistair with a golf club. As kids, we were always competing and fighting: crazy golf, Monopoly, sword-fights with sticks. We’ve never had big fall-outs, but we were always competitive and that helped us reach high standards. On the bike ride to school we didn’t just spin along the canal. Alistair would try to drop me and I would chase him, so we would suddenly have a 40-minute hard session. I didn’t know what training was. I just thought this is what people did.

Alistair made my goals feel more achievable. I remember him competing for Great Britain when he was 15 and he came back with his GB kit. I thought: ‘Wow, I want a part of that.’ Sportsmen can seem distant, like superheroes. Seeing my brother achieve that made me think I could too.

Training together today is a huge advantage. Imagine training with your best rival? You can’t drop off. We have had to control it so we don’t kill each other. If the other is suffering, we no longer turn the screw. But there is an emotional side too. When you land in Japan for a race, you’ve got your brother to eat and share taxis with. We take our home environment with us everywhere which puts us one step ahead.

The qualities I admire in Alistair are his confidence and his ability to go for it. He takes charge of his training so on the start line he knows it is all down to him: ‘if I mess up, it’s my fault; if I win, it’s my achievement.’ He also has an ability to suffer. At a race in London in 2010 he collapsed. Anybody else would have slowed down. Not him. He goes deep.

I have had a mental barrier when it comes to beating Alistair. He has always been first from the age of seven to 25, so that’s a lot of years of getting beaten. I might hold back against him, whereas against a rival like Javier Gomez I will be more aggressive. I’m working on it.

We have an understanding that we will help each other in races but never compromise our own chances. In a sprint finish the rule is very simple: race time and see who wins.

The Brownlee family secrets

Get competitive
Training with rival siblings, mates or work partners will ramp up your motivation. Research by Oxford University showed that athletes who exercised in groups could tolerate twice as much pain as those who train Han Solo. “You don’t want to be the one who cracks,” says Jonny.

Be consistent
Aping the Brownlees’ regular weekly bike rides will crank up your stamina - but also boost your brainpower. A University of British Columbia study suggested regular aerobic exercise increases your hippocampus - the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Exercise outside
Running in the Great Outdoors will give you extra endurance powers and a mental lift - a report in Environmental Science and Technology showed that outdoor training enhances energy levels and positive thinking. “Even on a wet day, good scenery keeps you interested,” says Ali.

Daily Upgrade Newsletter

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE MEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTERS

We sift through all the day's new research and studies to provide all – and only – what you need to know

Workouts and recipes from the best trainers and nutritionists in the world

Fitness challenges, culture picks, quizzes and everything else you need to make the most of your downtime

Enter your email address:

Please tick if you would prefer not to receive news & special offers from Hearst Magazines UK.
Please tick if you would like to receive news & special offers from selected partners of Hearst Magazines UK
Please tick if you would also like to receive the Men's Health Newsletter
Please tick if you would also like to receive the Men's Health Style Newsletter